Southern Fried Jazz

In what is fast becoming the Newport Jazz Festival of the South, the fourth-annual "Riviera Beach Jazz and Blues Festival" is expected to draw 20,000 guests over a two-day period. The festival features more than 15 performances that should excite jazz enthusiasts and music lovers. "In the past, we have surprised and delighted audiences with the caliber of musicians we have been able to line up," festival organizer Rob Littles says. This year, legendary jazz ensemble Spyro Gyra lends its energetic and playful soul to this distinctively sand-and-surfside festival. "The band is playing at its best," says founder and master saxophone player Jay Beckinstein. "We strive to present interesting, sophisticated music that never loses its excitement or sight of the audience as part of the performance." Other performers include Angela Bofill, Pieces of a Dream, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Ronnie Laws, David Paladino, James Rivers, Grady Nichols, the Derek Mack Band, Melton Mustafa, and David Clayton Thomas of Blood Sweat & Tears. The Riviera Beach Jazz and Blues Festival takes place from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 26, and noon to midnight Saturday, March 27, at Riviera Beach (Blue Heron Boulevard and Ocean Avenue). Tickets cost $10 to $15. For a complete schedule, call 561-845-4000, or visit www.jazzonthebeach.com. -- Vanessa Hodgkinson

Rub His Belly

Jam Slam

BY DEIRDRA FUNCHEON SAT 3/27

Glam Slam was the nightclub formerly owned by the artist formerly known as Prince. And DJ Buddah was the guy who formerly spun there. Glam Slam closed years ago, but Buddah remains busy playing hip-hop tunes at Zombie (1934 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood), the relatively new club (October 2003) owned by Ash Bhatti, who also operates Coyote on the Boulevard next door. Every Saturday night, DJ Buddah and his partner, DJ Eddie, start out with old-school hip-hop and R&B, then seque into Top 40 hip-hop and new reggae as the evenings progress and the Hypnotiq martinis slide across the 112-foot bar. There's no cover. Happy hour lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. Call 954-923-9622. -- Deirdra Funcheon

Ready, Set, Remodel!

Queer guy lends his eye

THU 3/25

Martha, Martha, Martha. Sorry about your troubles with the law. Why don't you take a break (if the judge lets you leave New York) and attend the "Home & Garden Show" at the South Florida Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach)? Attendees can collect ideas from more than 400 home improvement, gardening, and cooking exhibitors without slogging all over the state. And Martha, you might learn something useful from one of the seminars -- "Faux Finish Like a Pro" could be perfect for decorating intimate, confined spaces. It's a good thing. Look for a Saturday-afternoon stage appearance by Queer Eye for the Straight Guy fashion expert Carson Kressley. The show runs Thursday through Sunday. Admission costs $8 for adults ($6 for seniors on Friday) and $3.50 for children ages 6 to 12 and is free for kids under 6. Visit www.westpalmbeachhomeshow.com, or call 800-274-6948, ext. 214. -- Dave Amber

House Party

FRI 3/26

If you like deep house, progressive house, tech house, or simply don't know the difference, get out of the house to sample the sounds of DJ Terry Jasinto. Jasinto recently bailed on soggy Seattle -- where he worked as a producer, event coordinator, and record buyer -- to party with us in the sunshine. Jasinto starts his monthly residency -- "Swirl sessions" -- at Karma Lounge (4 Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) tonight, midnight to 4 a.m. Call 954-523-7159. -- Deirdra Funcheon

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